Hilda the calf may look like any other cow in the herd – but its genes have been modified to stop the release of greenhouse gases as it explodes and breaks the wind.
Described as a ‘water mark’ moment for the UK dairy industry, Hilda was born using it IVF producing greener cows that produce less methane.
Cows are known to have high levels of carbon dioxide, and the methane produced through their hooves warms the atmosphere 28 times more than carbon dioxide.
As cows produce about 5 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases – researchers have been racing to find ways to reduce their impact.
The search for low-emission cows can now be accelerated as the use of IVF means that Hilda arrived eight months earlier than previously achieved using conventional breeding methods.
Hilda is part of the Dumfries-based Langhill team which has been studied for more than half a century.
The Cool Cow project, of which Hilda is a part, involves selecting cows that emit less methane.
In order to create Hilda, eggs were taken from Hilda’s mother and fertilized with sperm from specially selected bulls.
Hilda the calf may look like any other cow in the herd – but her genes have been modified to stop the release of greenhouse gases when she burps and breaks the wind.
Hilda was born using IVF to create green cows that produce less methane
The embryo was created in a laboratory and replaced Hilda’s mother.
Professor Richard Dewhurst, from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), who is one of the project’s collaborators, said: “With the world’s milk supply continuing to grow, breeding for sustainable production is vital.
‘The birth of Hilda is a very important moment for the UK dairy industry.
‘We will use a new genomic test based on an existing protocol and an environmental approach to select high-quality, methane-efficient cows for rumination.
‘The Cool Cows project will produce more offspring from these donors, and establish a core of cows that use methane very well.’
The Langhill Herd, established in the early 1970s, is the flagship of Langhill breeding research, the world’s longest-running animal breeding project.
Hilda is part of the Dumfries-based Langhill team which has been studied for more than half a century
In order to create Hilda, eggs were taken from Hilda’s mother and fertilized with sperm from specially selected bulls.
Cows have been used in several studies related to greenhouse gas emissions related to milk production, including around the effects of different diets, and the effects of different fertilizers on grass.
Rob Simmons from Paragon Veterinary Group, another partner in the project, said the genetic improvement of dairy cattle is the “key” to the sustainability of the sector.
‘Genetic changes in methane production will be important to continue to provide a healthy food supply for humans, and to control the effects of methane emissions on the environment in the future.’
